Daventry Cinema to Host Christmas Lunch for Those Facing Solitude

For the second consecutive year, a Christmas Day lunch will be provided at a cinema, following its successful initiative last year to support individuals experiencing loneliness or hardship over the festive period. The Arc Cinema in Daventry is set to welcome approximately 40 local residents, offering them a complimentary hot lunch complete with traditional accompaniments, and will conclude the event with a film screening. Sally Stroman, a volunteer at the previous year’s gathering in west Northamptonshire, commented: “Helping [lonely residents] represented true Christmas spirit.” Wendy Goldie, the cinema manager, stated that it was “great to give something back to the community, and there are a lot of lonely people at Christmas”. A local business is providing support for the event, having arranged catering facilities that enable meals to be prepared on-site. Volunteers will be present to staff the venue, ensuring the smooth operation of the day. Reflecting on last year’s lunch, Ms Stroman remarked: “Christmas can be a difficult time – and throwing the doors open to people on their own or in difficulty, and to see them in company and enjoying [the day], was truly special.” The lunch this year is scheduled to commence at 12:30 GMT, with the cinema subsequently opening its doors to the general public for additional film screenings starting at 16:00.